Fremantle Cruise Port’s upgrade to boost tourism

Fremantle Cruise Port has recently undergone improvements with the hope of encouraging cruise ships to return, boosting tourism and the WA economy.

The State Heritage listed building, constructed in the 1960’s, has a beautiful terminal inside according to Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit. However the surrounding areas are a cause for concern.

“It’s fair to say when cruise ship passengers arrive and get beyond the terminal, they arrive into a sea of cars and it’s a pretty unattractive arrival point that isn’t very well linked back to the centre of Fremantle,” he said.

“So that’s what we’re working on now with the State Government, to improve the area around the cruise terminal and up to Victoria Quay, so it’s a really nice arrival point,”

Fremantle lost Carnival and P&O cruises coming in to dock, which cost the WA economy $135 million, also contributing to the 15% decline in interstate and international visitors to Western Australia.

Mr Pettit said it’s a major blow, but something that can be repaired.

“The key will be working with those companies and getting those ships back…”

“There’s no doubt cruising is going to play an increasingly important role in the economy, and Fremantle is going to be a big part of that,” he said.